Narrative Elements and Plot Structure

Narrative Elements

• Crisis and Resolution: The problem and its solution in a narrative.
• Theme: The overall message conveyed through character, setting, plot, and mood; a controlling idea within the story.
• Point of View:
  • First Person: The narrator is a character within the story.
  • Third Person Limited: The narrator is outside the story, knowing the events of only one character at a time.
  • Third Person Omniscient: The narrator is outside the story, knowing everything and choosing what to reveal.

Plot Structure

• Exposition: Background information introducing setting and characters.
• Rising and Falling Action: The longest part of the narrative, with increasing and decreasing dramatic tension leading to the climax.
• Dramatic Climax: The highest point of emotion where the protagonist confronts the antagonist.
• Technical Climax (Obligatory Moment): A pivotal moment where the protagonist makes a choice that shapes the rest of the story.
• Denouement/Resolution: The tying together of plot threads in a satisfying conclusion.
• Falling Action: Events following the dramatic climax.
• Antagonist and Protagonist:
  • Antagonist: The source of conflict
  • Protagonist: The character(s) overcoming the antagonist; typically dynamic or experiencing change.

Characterization

• Direct Characterization: The narrator's opinions of characters.
• Indirect Characterization: Details allowing readers to infer character traits through actions, thoughts, dialogue, reactions of others, and appearance.

Setting

• The time and place of a story; a powerful element impacting mood and atmosphere
• Setting can be seen as a character with protagonist or antagonist traits.

Mood

• The intended feeling evoked by the text

Tone

• The author's or speaker's feeling conveyed in the text

Conflict

• The problem the protagonist must overcome.
• External Conflict: Man vs. man, society, nature, or supernatural.
• Internal Conflict: Man vs. self.

Symbolism

• Nouns used to represent larger ideas and concepts through connotations

Hyperbole

• An intentional exaggeration illustrating a point or idea

Contrast/Foils

• Characters representing opposite ideals or extremes

Irony

• Situational Irony: The opposite of the expected outcome occurs
• Dramatic Irony: The audience knows more than the characters
• Verbal Irony: Saying the opposite of what is meant